Christopher O'Connell vs Matteo Arnaldi Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Mutua Madrid Open

Prediction published on 23/04/2024, 09:02  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 23/04/2024 at 10:03 in ATP Mutua Madrid Open Predictions

Matteo Arnaldi is up against Christopher O'Connell in Wednesday's Madrid Masters first round. There's a tough match awaiting the winner with the scheduled second round opponent being third-seeded Daniil Medvedev. Arnaldi is 36th in the latest ranking list but down a place in the live rankings. A couple of wins in Madrid could see him beat his current career high of 35th. The Italian will want to build on his good run in Barcelona last week. He made it to the last eight before being beaten by eventual champion Casper Ruud in his second clay court tournament of the year. 2023 saw him get to the third round in the Madrid Masters and he beat Ruud in that tournament.

Christopher O'Connell is at 63rd in the ranking list that was published on Monday. He's a place lower than that in the Live ATP Race. The Australian has played two clay court tournaments this year. He had a tough time qualifying in Monte Carlo with two three-setters having to be won. That took him into round one but he lost to Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets. He also lost in the first round of the BMW Open last week without winning a set. O'Connell got to the last eight of a hard court event in Adelaide at the start of the year. Only twice though this year has he won two main draw matches in a row and never on clay. We tip Arnaldi to get the victory here.